By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

Thirty-seven brave people took a dip in Lake Cornelius Saturday, at the YMCA’s inaugural Polar Bear Plunge. The air – and water – temperatures were in the mid-40s.

The Y hosted the waterfront event to raise awareness and support for its programs, including Y-Readers, Adaptive Water Skiing, Summer Camp and OWLS. The event brought in about $1,000 for the programs, spokeswoman Megan Britt said.

People gathered around a waterfront bonfire bundled up in hats, scarves and coats, before shedding their layers and taking the plunge. The Y plans to host a “plunge” annually,Ms. Britt said.

“It’s a great way to get the community out and let them know that [the Lake Norman YMCA] has a waterfront… it’s kind of a hidden gem,” Aquatics Coordinator for the Lake Norman YMCA Amy Bolch said.

Group 1 takes the first plunge into Lake Cornelius Saturday. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)